Fraser Black's Droopys Jet has maintained his place at the top of the betting after a narrow success in the semis last weekend but one can anticipate strong support arriving for Noirs Buachaill, which was unlucky to be beaten by him last weekend.

Seamus Graham's Swift Marathon really stepped up to the plate in winning his semi in 28.68 and he can give Droopys Jet plenty to do on the run to the bend.

Graham Holland's Calling Spice almost repeated her record-breaking run of 28.27 when just four spots slower in the second round of the Vetsearch Recharge Open 525 at Limerick on Saturday and is clearly the one to beat in this competition.

Work

However, she could have her work cut out in Saturday's first semi, where she meets Airforce Newyork for the second week in a row.

Paul Hennessy's charge walked out from an unfavourable draw last weekend but was eating the ground up from halfway. From trap two this time he could go very close to the early paced Calling Spice.

The biggest crowd of the year is anticipated at Clonmel this evening for the annual National Meeting gala programme where the top races will be the Festival Open Unraced Stake, with a number of sweepstake finals.

This unraced event looks one of the best in the stake's history. Owen McKenna looks to have a particularly strong hand with fastest qualifier Camas and early paced Confident Rankin.

Declan Moloney's Pagani, however, has impressed through the stake right from a first-round flying win. The final of the Broadway Pet Foods Open Bitch Stake is also down for decision and here Cabra Millie can prove her class once more.